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New Post 11/1/2007 11:23 AM
User is offline H
4 posts
No Ranking


Developer to BA 

I'm currently working as a .NET Developer but want to move to a BA position. My current role is very client facing, and tasks involved are requirements gathering and writing technical specifications. I have managed to get a few interviews but have so far been unsuccessful in secureing the role.

We do not official BA  roles at our present company so I am unable to get any support there.

The feedback I receive from interviews are:

1. Need to have planned discovery workshops.

2. Need to have written business requriements docments.

I am currently doing a self-study course in Foundation in Business Analysis - BCS approved...

What else can I do improve my chances of landing a BA role?

 
New Post 11/1/2007 1:32 PM
User is offline Adrian M.
764 posts
3rd Level Poster




Re: Developer to BA 
Modified By Adrian M.  on 11/1/2007 3:32:58 PM)

Doing the BCS self-study course should help.  Once you complete the course, go ahead and apply what you've learned to your current project.

Here are a few more ideas of what you can/should do to increase your chances of landing a Business Analyst job:

  • Since your current position already requires you to perform requirements gathering and writing technical specifications you should get even more involved in those activities - volunteer for them,
  • If there is a piece of the project which you can "own" from the requirements perspective that would be the time to setup a meeting with the client/stakeholders and perform requirement elicitation (what are their problems, what do they expect of the system, etc.) -> this will be the "requirements discovery workshop),
  • If possible, prepare in advance for that meeting and create a list of questions and issues that you are planning to discuss,
  • Once you have gathered the requirements, document them in a requirements document and have the client/stakeholders review it for accuracy,
  • If you do all of the above, change the title on the resume to something like Business Systems Analyst/Developer or Programmer/Analyst,
  • Find an experienced BA who is willing to mentor your (you should start with your local IIBA chapter),
  • Work on improving your communication skills both verbal and written.

Here are a couple more resources which you may find useful:

Blog Entry: From Developer to Analyst

Forum Thread: Bank ATM Example

Hope this helps!

- Adrian


Adrian Marchis
Business Analyst Community Blog - Post your thoughts!
 
New Post 11/1/2007 3:14 PM
User is offline H
4 posts
No Ranking


Re: Developer to BA 

Thanks Adrian,

Since I found this website, I've learned alot more in depth about the role of the BA.

I have been involved in a few discovery workshops, but these were only aimed at the user requirements to detail the technical specifications. I have yet to understand fully regarding what methodologies to use when writing the BRD's, but I guess I will understand more of it once I go through the course.

Thanks again.

 
New Post 11/1/2007 4:11 PM
User is offline Adrian M.
764 posts
3rd Level Poster




Re: Developer to BA 

As far as requirements go, you might also want to take a look at this book:

Software Requirements, Second Edition by Karl Wiegers

and

The Software Requirements Memory Jogger by Ellen Gottesdiener

The best way to learn is to practice... so volunteer to create these documents and practice, practice, practice...

- Adrian


Adrian Marchis
Business Analyst Community Blog - Post your thoughts!
 
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